Firstly, a correction on yesterday’s post and our evening meal.  I had asked Toby if I should phone and book Chico’s, the response was no need as it’s only Wednesday.  We got there just after 6pm and they’re fully booked, next choice was closed on a Wednesday so we settled on a burger and a drink for £15, and very nice burgers they were too.

We left Stone with sunshine on our backs, we soon caught up with a boat in front at each lock, they were going so slowly, at one point, we were in a queue of three boats at the lock.

We moored up at lunchtime and spent the afternoon at Shrugborough Hall which is a fascinating estate run by the local Council and has a working farm, servants buildings and the mansion house.  Tomorrow is the last day of opening and then responsibility passes to the National Trust and it reopens in March.

We enjoyed a scone with jam before heading back to the boat. It was such a lovely evening, and with heavy rain forecast for Saturday, we motored on for another hour before mooring up for the evening and a beef rendang curry for tea